Rapid cabs customer service has gone bad

shinzon · 13-08-2006 10:06am #1

Ive been using this taxi service in waterford for a good number of years now and have had no real cause to complain until now, 3 times this week they have been late and as a consequence I have been late for work and its no fault of the drivers its the operators in the office that have gone atrocious

I have had excuses ranging from

1) The traffics bad

to

2) hes 5 mins away just be patient

I always ring 1 hour in advance of the taxi being needed so they have plenty of time to queue up a taxi and get it ready to come out to me, yet on tuesday they were 35 minutes late in picking me up which i find totally unacceptable, and taking it up with the operators is like banging your head against a brick wall, they dont give a ****, used to be a time when they did

Yesterday was the last straw, taxi was late again, and i said to the operator, you were late tuesday wednesday and now today, when i order a taxi I expect it to be here on time or at least 5-10 mins late but 35 minutes is just ridiculous,

His exact words were "Well not necessarily", as if they can give out the booking at anytime of there choosing and so long as your picked up they have supplied the service and be damned whether you late for work or not

Will be complaining to the owners on monday as for the rest of you dont go near this service cause atm it sucks, i dont think its to much to ask to have a taxi come out within a reasonable amount of time to get you where you want to go is it ?

Shin

Mossy Monk · 13-08-2006 2:10pm

shinzon wrote:

as for the rest of you dont go near this service cause atm it sucks, i dont think its to much to ask to have a taxi come out within a reasonable amount of time to get you where you want to go is it ?

agree completely with you. they are terrible

Cabaal · 13-08-2006 2:35pm

I find it annoying that anytime I seem to book them they arrive 10-20 min early, then they start bitching because I wasn't ready even though their the one's that are early

Again its the fault of the office :mad:

merlante · 13-08-2006 3:00pm

Is there another crowd, or do they have a monopoly now?

JPA · 13-08-2006 3:07pm

You book an hour before hand and they're still not there. That's disgraceful. It just shows that they're treating your booking like a normal call and when the time comes to collect you they just put it up like a normal call instead of saying it to a driver as soon as you ring.

I usually ring about 5 minutes before I need it!

Fajitas! · 13-08-2006 3:20pm

There's a few smaller crowds, but rapid have the monopoly. A taxi driver bringing me into work the other day said they had over 110 taxis in Waterford.

There's a small crowd, BA Cabs, they're grand, I think only 4 or 5 cars, but if you book in advance, they're usually there on the button.

I'll put up their number (I don't work for them or anything, just think it might be useful, even if you wanted to give them a once off go)

051-844744

shinzon · 13-08-2006 5:48pm

Fajitas! wrote:

There's a few smaller crowds, but rapid have the monopoly. A taxi driver bringing me into work the other day said they had over 110 taxis in Waterford.

There's a small crowd, BA Cabs, they're grand, I think only 4 or 5 cars, but if you book in advance, they're usually there on the button.

I'll put up their number (I don't work for them or anything, just think it might be useful, even if you wanted to give them a once off go)

051-844744

Might just do that see how they go, tbh anything is better then rapid at the moment

Shin

deisemum · 13-08-2006 9:27pm

Cara Cabs advertise but I don't have their number

Fajitas! · 13-08-2006 9:33pm

shinzon wrote:

Might just do that see how they go, tbh anything is better then rapid at the moment

Shin

Lol, don't kill me if they don't work! I've never used'em in the morning!

merlante · 13-08-2006 9:35pm

Fajitas! wrote:

There's a few smaller crowds, but rapid have the monopoly. A taxi driver bringing me into work the other day said they had over 110 taxis in Waterford.

There's a small crowd, BA Cabs, they're grand, I think only 4 or 5 cars, but if you book in advance, they're usually there on the button.

I'll put up their number (I don't work for them or anything, just think it might be useful, even if you wanted to give them a once off go)

051-844744

Sure it doesn't matter how small the other crowds are. If you can order a taxi whenever you like and they get there on time, you don't have to deal with rapid anymore.

Fajitas! · 13-08-2006 10:58pm

Ah yeah, but it can be harder to get a taxi last minute stylee.

("sh*t, slept in, taxi taxi taxi!" situations)

bertegg · 14-08-2006 8:54am

I'm new to this....boards.ie

....good fourms!!

I've been using Rapid Cabs for the past three years, stopped using another big local taxi company (8777 and a when) because cars were filty and was getting ripped off!....I think Rapid Cabs are a good cab company...always find them quick...and the ringback is great no more standing at the window waitin for a bloddy taxi.....where are you from shinzon (if you wanna say) is it in the city or a good bit out?

let us know how ya get on with the complaint with the managers

ToxicPaddy · 14-08-2006 9:24am

I never had any problems with getting taxis from Rapid when I used them, however I'd say a lot of the problems are due to the drivers themselves, as i'd say about 95% of the cars they have are private owners who are with the company to get extra business but do have their own pool of clients and then take office business whenever they have nothing better to do..

Was in a Rapid cab the other night chatting away to the driver and next thing a warning popped up on screen basically telling all drivers that if a driver doesnt do an office logged pickup within an hour they are logged off the system as being finished and gone home. Asked the driver about it and he said that some drivers come in, register on the system and then disappear for hours, so they had to put this in place.

So that kinda says it all to me, its the drivers that are the problem a lot of the time.

In saying that, bad customer service from the office doesnt help though..

Let us know how you get on with the complaint by the way..

Baby4 · 14-08-2006 2:18pm

This post has been deleted.

Sully · 14-08-2006 2:30pm

Thats standard to call a cab in Tramore, and I thought it was just hacknes that were bad!

shinzon · 14-08-2006 3:13pm

where are you from shinzon (if you wanna say) is it in the city or a good bit out?

viewmount

shin

mad man · 14-08-2006 3:34pm

Sounds like the hackeneys in Dublin.I relied on them for a while to get me into work on the weekend and it used to be a ****ing Nightmare.

I moved closer to the job(within 3 miles) but I syll relied on the local Hackneys to get me in on Saturday and Sunday morning. What happened was the population of the vicinity started increasing and demand went up. I statrted from a situation where I would be guaranteed a cab in the morning and I would be the only passenger.This eventually changed to having to make pickups along the way or the cab would turn up with just one space for me. So you would be sharing a cab with four strangers and all of them going to different factories.One morning I had to share the cab with 2 scumbags who were drinking cans. You can imagine what it looked like getting out of the car.I got my own car not long after this.Maybe a similar thing is starting to happpen in Waterford with Rapid.You can always complaign to the carriage office in Dublin and supply them with plate numbers.

mike65 · 14-08-2006 3:49pm

877710 never let me down.

Mike.

AdMMM · 14-08-2006 4:05pm

mike65 wrote:

877710 never let me down.

Mike.

Would have to agree with Mike. I use them most of the time except when I'm in a big hurry, then I use Rapid Cabs because their response time is the best in town!

My sister used to get Rapid Cabs to work every morning but were either 10minutes early or 10 minutes late! One time there was no sign of them and she rang and the operator assured her that a taxi was on the way. 10 minutes later she rang again and said he was around the corner, then she heard him whisper to a guy beside him to go. 5 mins later he arrived and when my sister asked what happened, he said that there was no taxi queued up on the system and he was just told to go there after my sister rang up for the 3rd time!

I can understand a mistake, but to lie about it would do no favours!

Venivici · 14-08-2006 6:57pm

Regarding their customer Service, I complained one day after being left stranded in Tramore after a night in South. I had to get a Taxi for £20.
I complained to the boss, but I was told I was Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!
I won't ever use them again and regularly let my dog S**T in their plants outside.
Satisfaction Guranteed! Ha.:cool:

Venivici · 14-08-2006 7:01pm

Try the Independent 'Deise Cabs' 051-820500
They do informal Contracts, are small scale thus have a better approach to customers and have all new cars. I highly recommend them.

OLDYELLAR · 14-08-2006 7:33pm

Cabaal wrote:

I find it annoying that anytime I seem to book them they arrive 10-20 min early, then they start bitching because I wasn't ready even though their the one's that are early

Again its the fault of the office :mad:

Ya thats happened me the last few times I got them , they arrived about 15 minutes early an of course I wasnt ready so yer man starts bitching on and I explain hes early an then he gives some smart one about coming late next time :rolleyes:

mike65 · 14-08-2006 7:36pm

I better give Rapid a bail out here, I ws just up at the WRH and could'nt get a conection for 877710 so phoned Rapid, they were out to me in 10 mins.

Mike.

bertegg · 15-08-2006 9:03am

Baby4 wrote:

This post has been deleted.

The taxi company that I was referring too where 877710, I had to stop using them because they were dirty and ripped me and a few family members off too...and when I tried to complain...lets just say I shouldn't have bothered :eek:

bertegg · 15-08-2006 9:05am

Venivici wrote:

Try the Independent 'Deise Cabs' 051-820500
They do informal Contracts, are small scale thus have a better approach to customers and have all new cars. I highly recommend them.

Informal quotes....sounds like illegal prices

brown*eyed*girl · 15-08-2006 10:18am

I think the two main taxi services in Waterford (8 777 10 and 85 85 85) are mostly crap ie. if you book early they come too early and if you let it 10 mins before you need the taxi its dead late. Its more than likely down to the office taking bookings and not scheduling them in properly. Also not being honest with the customer. They always say "a couple of minutes". I've been using a small scale firm now for many years and they are brilliant. Sound out guys driving that will actually smile and are civil and if you ring them they'll tell you if they will be 5, 10 or 20 mins. I can't recommend them because I want to keep them for myself.

merlante · 15-08-2006 10:58am

brown*eyed*girl wrote:

I think the two main taxi services in Waterford (8 777 10 and 85 85 85) are mostly crap ie. if you book early they come too early and if you let it 10 mins before you need the taxi its dead late. Its more than likely down to the office taking bookings and not scheduling them in properly. Also not being honest with the customer. They always say "a couple of minutes". I've been using a small scale firm now for many years and they are brilliant. Sound out guys driving that will actually smile and are civil and if you ring them they'll tell you if they will be 5, 10 or 20 mins. I can't recommend them because I want to keep them for myself.

How very civic minded of you.

shinzon · 15-08-2006 5:35pm

well im happy to report normal service has resumed so far, both yesterday and today taxis were on time and ready to collect me

Now i didnt put in a complaint so either others have or they saw this thread will keep you updated and see where we are at the end of the week

Shin

Rollo Tamasi · 15-08-2006 5:45pm

bertegg with each one of his 3 posts in this one thread....did you sign up just to defend Rapid Cabs? :rolleyes:

Aquos76 · 15-08-2006 6:21pm

Rollo Tamasi wrote:

bertegg with each one of his 3 posts in this one thread....did you sign up just to defend Rapid Cabs? :rolleyes:

Was thinking along the same lines myself;)

waterford mma · 20-08-2006 9:12am

the following is the reply i got when i sent in a complaint about being a euro overcharged. taxi was late, i was just having a **** morning and that extra euro topped it all off

Dear Mr. Nolan,

With respect to your complaint below please not that we do not tolerate this under any circumstances within our company and we would like to apologise for this occurrence, as you can see from our website (http://www.rapidcabs.com/Taxi%20Prices.htm) pricing section, we deem this action by drivers very seriously. As a result I will be investigating this matter personally and will have an apology from the driver and the company within the next hour along with a full refund of your taxi as stated in our “complaints procedure” regarding overcharging, also please note that this driver will also be severely reprimanded and we can guarantee that this will not happen again.

I hope that this is to your satisfaction and we would also like to offer you a taxi home from work today with our compliments and I would be more than grateful if you could inform me what time you will be finished work today, and we will have the driver pick up your refund in the office prior to picking you up.

Once again, apologies for this overcharging incident.

Yours truly,

Eric O'Brien

From: ******@aol.com [mailto:******@aol.com]
Sent: 24 February 2006 09:26
To: info@rapidcabs.com
Subject: complaint

Roen · 20-08-2006 2:33pm

Aagggghhhh, I made the mistake of clicking on their website! God above, do they still make em like that? And what the hell is a 'Hacney'?

ToxicPaddy · 20-08-2006 4:47pm

waterford mma wrote:

....we would also like to offer you a taxi home from work today with our compliments and I would be more than grateful if you could inform me what time you will be finished work today, and we will have the driver pick up your refund in the office prior to picking you up.

Seems reasonable enough alright. Nice touch.

Website is very basic and could do with a bit of updating.. lots of info on fare etc.. never even knew they had one, should put it on their taxis..

Tox

shinzon · 22-08-2006 10:42am

And what the hell is a 'Hacney'

A hackney doesnt have a metre in the car, and has no plate on the roof, just a yellow plate located on the bumper somewhere

And as for my situation seems that everything is still running smoothly, there coming out to me on time again

So happy tbh

Shin

JPaul · 04-10-2007 7:01am

ok! well i work in rapid cabs..
and right now im laughin at most
of these posts..jazus like no need
to get carried away...
granted most of ye prob have had little
experiences of difficulty with our office
and with that if your going to write on
this bout what happend, then dont be
adding your own little bits onto it
no one wants to be your hearing lies!

Aquos76 · 04-10-2007 8:29am

Did you happen to look at the dates of these posts. Well over a year ago. So if you joined up just to post on this topic you sort of wasted you time.

no one wants to be your hearing lies!

With an attitude like that, I cant see you lasting too long here!

Minfadlek · 04-10-2007 8:51am

..... and Mr Rapid Cab Driver/whatever, what's with beeping horns outside a house early morning when ye turn up early..... ? No need for that !

Sully · 04-10-2007 12:13pm

Note to poster: Learn how to type.

ROCKMAN · 04-10-2007 2:08pm

JPaul wrote:

ok! well i work in rapid cabs..
and right now im laughin at most
of these posts..jazus like no need
to get carried away...
granted most of ye prob have had little
experiences of difficulty with our office
and with that if your going to write on
this bout what happend, then dont be
adding your own little bits onto it
no one wants to be your hearing lies![/QUOTE]

First off I used to work in a taxi office , so I Know the story of passing on jobs ,refusing jobs, and best of all the famous " INNER CIRCLE " .
The stories on here are not been exaggerated . 9 times out of 10 late cars are down too the office as the drivers can and have shown me (thanks to your tech system in the car ) the times they received the jobs, usually five to ten mins before they arrive, This after god knows when you have actually rang the office which could be anything like 20-30 mins before.
And your attitude on here reflects the attitude and the problem with your office and staff. FIRST POST ,CALL EVERYBODY LIARS
Really shows the high standard and customer care training that Rapid staff receive

Cabaal · 04-10-2007 2:18pm

JPaul wrote:

ok! well i work in rapid cabs..
and right now im laughin at most
of these posts..jazus like no need
to get carried away...
granted most of ye prob have had little
experiences of difficulty with our office
and with that if your going to write on
this bout what happend, then dont be
adding your own little bits onto it
no one wants to be your hearing lies!

Just so yuo know txt speak is not allowed on most of boards.ie

Please please point out what lies people are saying here, I'm very interested to see.

I've also seen that the office regularly gets the pickup times wrong and I've seen proof of this on the display in the taxi, mistakes can happen but the office should work on making sure that the data they give to there taxi's is correct

Our man in Havana · 05-10-2007 12:38am

JPaul wrote:

ok! well i work in rapid cabs..
and right now im laughin at most
of these posts..jazus like no need
to get carried away...
granted most of ye prob have had little
experiences of difficulty with our office
and with that if your going to write on
this bout what happend, then dont be
adding your own little bits onto it
no one wants to be your hearing lies!

blacksheep53 · 08-10-2007 12:49am

ROCKMAN wrote:

JPaul wrote:

ok! well i work in rapid cabs..
and right now im laughin at most
of these posts..jazus like no need
to get carried away...
granted most of ye prob have had little
experiences of difficulty with our office
and with that if your going to write on
this bout what happend, then dont be
adding your own little bits onto it
no one wants to be your hearing lies![/QUOTE]

First off I used to work in a taxi office , so I Know the story of passing on jobs ,refusing jobs, and best of all the famous " INNER CIRCLE " .
The stories on here are not been exaggerated . 9 times out of 10 late cars are down too the office as the drivers can and have shown me (thanks to your tech system in the car ) the times they received the jobs, usually five to ten mins before they arrive, This after god knows when you have actually rang the office which could be anything like 20-30 mins before.
And your attitude on here reflects the attitude and the problem with your office and staff. FIRST POST ,CALL EVERYBODY LIARS
Really shows the high standard and customer care training that Rapid staff receive

Rockman you hit the nail on the head. The Inner Circle is the place to be in rapid cabs.If you are a member you get all the good and long jobs.Iwas never a member as Iwould not pay the entery fee. If jpaul works for rapid he will know very well how it all works as he would have been trained in by the best of them.The customer is always wrong and they are always right, some customer service if you know what I mean.;)

shinzon · 08-10-2007 11:20am

seens as people have reopened this thread, was charged the 2 euro callout charge again on saturday coming home from work and as this is on there website under the taxi price tab

TAXI PRICING

From the 25th October Rapid Cabs

will no longer be charging the €2 Booking Fee!!

I think its taking a liberty beyond measure tbh, i know they have no control over there taxis as they dont own em all, but for god sake if you advertise something like that then stick to it FFS, and for people like jpaul who dont believe what people write on here about the company i have the receipt right here in front of me

Shin

ROCKMAN · 08-10-2007 11:41am

blacksheep53 wrote:

Rockman you hit the nail on the head. The Inner Circle is the place to be in rapid cabs.If you are a member you get all the good and long jobs.Iwas never a member as Iwould not pay the entery fee. If jpaul works for rapid he will know very well how it all works as he would have been trained in by the best of them.The customer is always wrong and they are always right, some customer service if you know what I mean.;)

Welcome to the dark side blacksheep53 .And with posts of this quality I can see you having a great future there

Back to topic , as an ex rapid driver as you stated, could you explain the standard of service..
Is it arrogant i.e we are so big that people will have to use us in time anyway
or
Just very bad staff attitude i.e lack of training ( customer care etc )

rapid_knacker_dog · 08-06-2023 9:17pm

I tried to ring this place to inform them about an upcoming party and if they will drop from point A to point B. I figured they would be happy to hear that 35+ people will need their service tomorrow. However, instead I was met with the man on the phone speaking over me, questioning my friends and my own level of intelligence and refused to give a straight answer before hanging up the phone. There was nobody else to speak with there so I had to resort to letting others know that the dog barking down the other side of the phone only wants your money so he can get his next fix before taking the next call! Lesson learned - don't expect someone that hates their own life to bare yours. Good for nothing!

friendlyfun · 09-06-2023 10:47am

I've been into them before to order taxis. They absolutely are some dogs working there. No manners at all.

StringerBell · 12-06-2023 10:15am

And yet, 16/17 years later - they still in business.

12-06-2023 10:28am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/54134282#Comment_54134282

You can never do enough for the general public because it will just never be enough!

You'll never get it right & their journey is always & should be the first priority!

Tell 'em to buy a bike or to get the bus!

friendlyfun · 12-06-2023 6:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120704174#Comment_120704174

Be handy if they showed up on time or actually could get to your location. I suppose my gripe is with particular drivers, some of them don't seemed to know the city all to well or just got here.

12-06-2023 9:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120706246#Comment_120706246

Are you suggesting that they should be hiring more local drivers?

friendlyfun · 13-06-2023 9:19am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120706806#Comment_120706806

I'm suggesting that drivers should at least know the city if they are working within it as a taxi driver.

Rapid cabs customer service has gone bad

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